The 39th anniversary of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) along with Conservation Day, was celebrated on Friday in Ward No. 5 of Ribhan, Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, Kaski. The event was organized by the Conservation Area Management Committee (CAMC) of Ribhan in collaboration with ACAP to highlight the community’s commitment to preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable living practices.
Diverse Programs Highlight Local Talent and Innovation
The celebration featured a variety of activities designed to engage the community, particularly students, and showcase local initiatives. Activities included a Secondary School Answer Key Competition, a group dance performance by management committee members, school-level painting competitions, and an agricultural exhibition. Winners across various categories were awarded cash prizes and certificates, emphasizing the importance of encouraging local talent and innovation.
In the Secondary School Answer Key Competition, Nispaksh Secondary School, Ribhan secured first place, followed by Udaya Secondary School, Dhampus in second, and Gauri Shankar Manilal Secondary School, Saitighatta in third. Consolation prizes went to Shukla Gandaki Secondary School, Ghachok.
The group dance competition saw the CAMC Ghachok team achieve first place, CAMC Sardikhola second, and CAMC Dhampus third, with CAMC Ribhan receiving a consolation prize and CAMC Lwang Ghale awarded a special encouragement prize.
In the painting competitions, winners included Sanoj Bik from Nispaksh Secondary School (1st), Khagen Rasaili from Udaya Secondary School (2nd), and Aditya Adhikari from Mahendra Secondary School (3rd), with Ishan Tamang from Annapurna Primary School receiving a consolation award.
Agricultural Exhibition Recognizes Innovation and Productivity
The agricultural exhibition displayed local produce, highlighting the diversity and quality of Ribhan’s farming sector. Awards were distributed in categories such as spices, fruits, and vegetables. Winners included Bishnu Chhetri (1st, Ward 5) and Sita Lamichhane (2nd, Ward 5) for spices, and Devi Lal Sharma (1st, Ward 3) and Khimalal Paudel (2nd, Ward 5) for fruits. Vegetable awards went to Amrit Adhikari (1st, Ward 4) and Jagdish Lamsal (2nd, Ward 3), while Prem Sunar and Ribhan Agricultural Cooperative Limited received special recognition.
Honoring Contributions to Conservation
Several individuals and institutions were honored for their contributions to conservation. Radhika Dhungana of Ribhan received the Conservation Farmer Award, while Devi Lal Lamichhane of Ribhan Humdi was recognized for supporting greening initiatives. The former Ribhan Forest Management Sub-committee was also lauded and presented with a dosalla (traditional honor) along with certificates.
Leadership Speeches Emphasize Revenue, Collaboration, and Sustainability
In his address, Chairperson of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, Min Bahadur Gurung, emphasized the importance of working together to generate revenue from the conservation area. He noted that all wards except Ward No. 6 are connected to the protected area, and stressed the need for regulatory updates to enhance local revenue and municipal income. He also highlighted the need to address farmer concerns regarding monkey-related damage.
Dr. Rabin Kadariya, ACAP Project Chief, outlined ongoing initiatives, including greening barren hills, promoting education, irrigation, water purification, and tourism development, emphasizing that collaboration with local communities is essential for sustainability.
Sita Adhikari, Vice Chairperson of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, called for greater community participation in conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of inclusive and proactive local engagement.
Other notable speakers included Ward No. 9 Chairman Hari Bahadur Chhetri, ACAP Lwang Office Chief Lekhnath Gautam, and Ranger Sudip KC, who emphasized the integration of conservation with community well-being. Students from the Institute of Forestry Studies, Pokhara, also performed a play promoting conservation awareness.
Event Coordination and Closing
The program was chaired by Ribhan CAMC Chairman Toran Bahadur Gurung, with a welcome address by Ward No. 5 Chairman Narayan Prasad Poudel. Committee Secretary Shiva Prasad Bhusal managed the proceedings, ensuring smooth coordination of the day’s events.
The celebration not only commemorated ACAP’s 39-year legacy in preserving the Annapurna region but also reinforced the vision of harmonizing conservation with community development. As Kaski continues to promote green initiatives, the message of the day was clear: protecting nature and empowering local communities go hand in hand.
